Cármelo de los Santos, violin

   
    Cármelo de los Santos is one of the most respected and sought after Brazilian violinists of his generation. He has been praised by critics as: “Brilliant...possessor of a strong stage presence…overwhelming virstuosism…getting from the violin a generous, bodily, and colorful sound” (Jornal da Tarde, São Paulo); “Meticulous; his performance was symmetrical, detailed, and self-possessed” (O Estado de São Paulo); and “Intense and electrifying…” (P.U.C. Journal, Chile).
    At the age of sixteen, Cármelo gained “celebrity status” in Brazil by winning its most prestigious music competition, the Eldorado Prize, in São Paulo. Since then he has been invited as guest soloist with major orchestras in Brazil and in the Americas, such as the New World, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Southern Mississipi Symphonies in the US as well as the Porto Alegre, Paraná, São Paulo State, São Paulo University, Campinas, Petrobrás, and Brazilian Symphonies.
    In 2002 Cármelo made his New York debut in the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall with the ARCO Chamber Orchestra, both as a soloist and conductor. He has also been a prizewinner in several international competitions, including first prize at the Júlio Cardona International Competition, Portugal (2003), first prize at the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Collegiate Artist Competition in Cincinnati, Ohio (2002), and the second prize in the Young Artist International Competition, Argentina (1991). A much sought after chamber player, he has performed in the Placitas Artists Series, Chatter Chamber Ensemble, Albuquerque Chamber Soloists, Bosque Chamber Music Society, Bonneville Chamber Music Festival, and Collaborative Artists East-West.
    In 2004 Carmelo joined the faculty of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. In addition he has been teaching at music festivals in Brazil such as the Oficina de Música, Curitiba, the Brasília International Winter Music Festival, and Ex Toto Corde Music Festival, as well as internationally with Jornada Musical Xalapa in Mexico and  the New Operafestival di Roma and Schlern Music Festival in Italy.       
    Cármelo frequently plays for radio and television in Brazil. At the age of seventeen he recorded his first CD under the Eldorado Radio label which featured Brazilian and other composers of the twentieth century. He has also collaborated in recordings with several artists including guitarist Paulo Inda and Grammy nominated oud player Rahim AlHaj. He has performed and premiered several pieces by contemporary composers, among them Richard Hermann, Paul Lombardi, Thomas Licata, Richard Cameron-Wolfe, Gordon Mumma, Elisenda Fábregas, and Paul Chihara. He will soon release two CD’s, one of sonatas by Villa-Lobos, Guarnieri, and Santoro and the other of short pieces for violin and piano by various Brazilian composers.
    Cármelo holds a Bachelor’s degree from Rio Grande do Sul Federal University, Brazil, a Master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music, and a Doctoral degree from the University of Georgia.